haunted house: a catalog of the small and ecstatic

CROSSROADS 2015 Touring Program 3

Curated by Steve Polta

Opening with Meanwhile at the Moon Hotel, the most recent chapter in Jessie Stead’s ongoing series of episodic compendia of video ephemera, the films in this program explore indulgence, austerity, sexuality and ritual, objects and spaces […] that evoke the significance of small change, films that move between the poles of troubled domestic rite to celestial reverie, from erotic nihilism to sexual abundance.

Highlighted film titles link to preview videos—full previews of all work available on request. Highlighted names link to artists’ websites. original format of all works is digital video unless otherwise noted. Artist bios and full text program notes provided with program package.
NOTE: This program differs slightly from that presented in CROSSROADS 2015.

For inquiries please contact tour@sfcinematheque.org.

	Meanwhile at the Moon Hotel (2014) by Jessie Stead; color, sound, 16 minutes A reverie in 10 overlapping Meanwhiles in a downloaded lunar hotel. (Jessie Stead). The most recent chapter in Stead’s ongoing series of episodic compendia of video ephemera.
	Frozen Giants (2013) by Christine Negus; color, sound, 3 minutes Shot on a Nova Scotia beach that boasts the oldest recorded fossil tracks, and influenced by the ancient magical belief that fossils were simply spirits trapped in rocks, Frozen Giants suggests the sea is a giant graveyard. No matter where we turn for stability or solace (our memories, our homes, or family) we are always haunted. (Christine Negus)
	Simmer (2013) by Karissa Hahn; color, sound, 2 minutes A short ritualistic domestic interlude.
	flower (2012) by Naoko Tasaka; color, sound, 20 minutes A story about a bear who ate his entire family during the winter hibernation. (Naoko Tasaka) “A parable… [An] intellectual vortex, moving from simplicity to an almost cosmological scope […] about the connection, or the collision, between inner and outer space, the tiniest and the grandest levels of known life.” (Michael Sicinski)
	vis à vis (2013) by Abigail Child; b&w, sound, 24 minutes Inspired by Vertov’s Lullaby (1937) as well as by Warhol’s ‘60s Screen Test portraits and Frampton’s Manual of Arms from the same period, vis à vis is a homage to these divergent pasts: ironic, composed of outtakes, portraits ultimately of friends and colleagues. Also a testament to 16mm b&w celluloid and differing sexualities, seductions and (d)alliances. (Abigail Child)
	Lunar Almanac (2013) by Malena Szlam; 16mm screened as digital video, color, silent, 4 minutes I take what I see and remove it from the ordinary, translating it out of the physical and into the psyche, then back again into the physical. Through single-frame and long-exposure superimpositions, the film assembles in series of short sequences shot in 16mm Ektachrome and hand-processed. The unaltered, in-camera edited segments shot at various nights gather over 4000 stills of multi-layered field views of the moon. (Malena Szlam)

Total Program Runtime: 69 minutes
Program Format: Digital Video

Programs are available for single exhibition, multiple screenings or as a three-part series. Variable rates available.

Program packages include:

• Complete program in high-resolution digital video format: provided to exhibition venues on hard drive, ready to play.
• Program Notes: includes images, curatorial statement, CROSSROADS information & statements on each artist’s work.
• Press Packages: promotional copy, information on the program(s) and works, links to complete online previews of work (for press access) and hi-res color images for publication in print and online promotions.
• Promotional Support: Cinematheque will promote your screening(s) to our global network of followers and enthusiasts via social media, weekly email newsletters and on our website.
• Curatorial Introductions and in-person artist attendance: Subject to availability and additional negotiation.

PLEASE NOTE: CROSSROADS touring programs provide financial compensation to artists—filmmakers receive payment from Cinematheque for each and every screening.

For additional information or to inquire about CROSSROADS exhibitions at your venue, please contact SAN FRANCISCO CINEMATHEQUE at tour@sfcinematheque.org.